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Tuition Petitions and Medical Withdrawals

Students sometimes face circumstances or situations that prevent them from finishing a course or semester. A Review Committee meets monthly to examine petitions made by students regarding full or partial charges of tuition and fees. A student’s petition, which includes a detailed letter and appropriate documentation, can be submitted to any member of the Review Committee from the following offices: Student Account Services, Registrar's Office, Financial Aid, and the Dean of Students.

If the petition is based on serious health problems where a student is unable to complete the semester and is not eligible for grades of incomplete, the Review Committee requires a written verification from a physician or licensed mental health professional. The Dean of Students serves as a resource for such requests. Nearly all medical withdrawals require withdrawal from all courses for the semester, as it is difficult to be medically unfit for one course but medically fit for others.

All petitions (review of tuition charges and medical withdrawals) must be submitted within six weeks after the end of the semester in question. Absent serious extenuating circumstances, requests submitted beyond six weeks after the end of the semester will not be considered. If the petition is granted, changes will be made retroactive only to the last date of attendance, and tuition charges will be adjusted according to Westminster College’s posted refund schedule found on the Student Account Services webpage. Reevaluation by the student’s physician or counselor will be required prior to re-registration.

Following these guidelines, the Review Committee will either approve or deny all petitions. A student disagreeing with the decision made by this committee may then appeal it in writing within ten calendar days to an Appeals Committee chaired by the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The decision reached by this committee will be considered final.

NOTE: Changes in registered hours may change any financial aid disbursed to an account. For example, if a student receiving merit-based aid withdraws from the college, the student’s financial aid award is canceled and all unpaid tuition resulting from the cancellation of the merit-based aid for that semester is due and must be paid immediately.

Tuition Petitions and Medical Withdrawals

Students sometimes face circumstances or situations that prevent them from finishing a course or semester. A Review Committee meets monthly to examine petitions made by students regarding full or partial charges of tuition and fees. A student’s petition, which includes a detailed letter and appropriate documentation, can be submitted to any member of the Review Committee from the following offices: Student Account Services, Registrar's Office, Financial Aid, and the Dean of Students.

If the petition is based on serious health problems where a student is unable to complete the semester and is not eligible for grades of incomplete, the Review Committee requires a written verification from a physician or licensed mental health professional. The Dean of Students serves as a resource for such requests. Nearly all medical withdrawals require withdrawal from all courses for the semester, as it is difficult to be medically unfit for one course but medically fit for others.

All petitions (review of tuition charges and medical withdrawals) must be submitted within six weeks after the end of the semester in question. Absent serious extenuating circumstances, requests submitted beyond six weeks after the end of the semester will not be considered. If the petition is granted, changes will be made retroactive only to the last date of attendance, and tuition charges will be adjusted according to Westminster College’s posted refund schedule found on the Student Account Services webpage. Reevaluation by the student’s physician or counselor will be required prior to re-registration.

Following these guidelines, the Review Committee will either approve or deny all petitions. A student disagreeing with the decision made by this committee may then appeal it in writing within ten calendar days to an Appeals Committee chaired by the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The decision reached by this committee will be considered final.

NOTE: Changes in registered hours may change any financial aid disbursed to an account. For example, if a student receiving merit-based aid withdraws from the college, the student’s financial aid award is canceled and all unpaid tuition resulting from the cancellation of the merit-based aid for that semester is due and must be paid immediately.